Jinan: Korea's open-air museum of geological wonders
JINAN, North Jeolla Province — Just a 30-kilometer drive east from Jeonju Station, the rolling green mountains of North Jeolla Province give way to a sight that feels entirely alien yet deeply sacred as two colossal weathered rocks bearing a striking resemblance to a pair of giant horse ears rise abruptly out of the forests of Maisan ("horse ear mountain") Provincial Park. Stepping into this…
Jinan, located in North Jeolla Province, serves as the gateway to a geological marvel that feels both foreign and spiritually significant. Two massive rocks, resembling enormous horse ears, emerge from the foliage of Maisan Provincial Park, also known as Horse Ear Mountain. This high-altitude area is a vital component of the Jinan-Muju National Geopark, which has been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide, the pinnacle of rating distinction.
Upon arrival, visitors are immediately captivated by the distinctive texture of the mountains. Unlike the granite prevalent across the peninsula, these towering cliffs are composed of conglomerate sedimentary rock. The surface is punctuated with countless hollow cavities, referred to as tafoni. Geologists hypothesize that these distinctive indentations were formed during the Fourth Ice Age.
At that time, water trapped within cracks in the rock would freeze and thaw repeatedly, exerting expanding and fracturing forces on the stone.
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- Jinan: Korea's open-air museum of geological wonders koreatimes.co.kr
